National Bank Launches First Cohort of 'ON Academy'

In a move reflecting its ongoing commitment to investing in young national talent and supporting the development of Kuwait’s media and entertainment sector, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) launched the first cohort of the “ON Academy” program in partnership with Ooredoo Kuwait. The initiative aims to discover Kuwaiti talent, develop their capabilities, and empower them to build promising career paths in media, content creation, and creative production.

The opening ceremony was attended by participants, organizers, and a select group of media and entertainment experts, marking the start of a training journey targeting approximately 50 talented and ambitious participants. The specialized program combines practical training, professional mentoring, and hands-on experiences that simulate real-world conditions in the sector.

ON Academy embodies a shared vision between NBK and Ooredoo, focused on empowering Kuwaiti youth and investing in their potential and talents by providing a specialized training environment that contributes to skill development, capability enhancement, and the opening of promising career prospects in the media and entertainment industry.

The program aims to prepare a new generation of media talents capable of keeping pace with future demands by equipping participants with the necessary knowledge and expertise to work in diverse fields, including film directing, television presenting, digital content creation, and influencing through social media platforms, alongside other specialties related to the modern media landscape.

It is distinguished by a comprehensive training curriculum that integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application, allowing participants to benefit from the expertise of a select group of specialists, academics, and professionals. This approach enhances their readiness for the job market and equips them with skills aligned with the requirements of modern media and the digital economy.

Commenting on the occasion, Jacob Al-Baqer, Assistant Vice President – Public Relations and Events Management at NBK, said: “ON Academy represents a comprehensive platform for preparing and qualifying young media talents by combining practical training, professional mentoring, and direct experience gained from specialists. We aspire for this initiative to contribute to enhancing participants’ readiness and enabling them to build successful career paths in the media and entertainment sector.”

Al-Baqer added: “The media and content creation sector is currently witnessing rapid transformations that open wide horizons for young talents. Hence, the importance of equipping participants with practical skills and professional experience that enable them to keep pace with these changes and enhance their readiness to seize promising opportunities offered by this growing sector.”

He continued: “The Academy reflects the significance of integrated efforts among private sector institutions and serves as a model for purposeful partnerships seeking to create a sustainable impact on society by providing high-quality learning and development opportunities, and allowing young people to acquire practical experiences that enhance their professional readiness.”

Al-Baqer emphasized: “Supporting youth is one of the main pillars of the Bank’s corporate social responsibility strategy. NBK is proud of its extensive track record of initiatives aimed at empowering youth across various educational, professional, and entrepreneurial fields, driven by our belief that investing in national competencies is a direct investment in Kuwait’s future and sustainable development.”